Buprenorphine/Naloxone Treatment for Opioid Dependence-Experiment 1 - 1

Buprenorphine/Naloxone Treatment for Opioid Dependence-Experiment 1(1)

The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical efficacy of the buprenorphine/naloxone combination tablet for alternate-day dosing and determine whether multiples of the daily dose are necessary to maintain an effective alternate day dosing regimen.

Alternate-day dosing with the 8mg buprenorphine-naloxone tablet is as safe and effective as daily dosing. Outcomes are improved when the total weekly dose provided during alternate-day dosing is equal to that given during daily dosing.

Inclusion Criteria:

Individuals must be currently opioid dependent and meet FDA criteria for narcotic maintenance treatment. Co-morbid substance abuse or dependence disorders may also be present. Individuals must be healthy despite drug dependency.

Exclusion Criteria:

Individuals with evidence of an active Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) Axis I psychiatric disorder (e.g. psychosis, manic-depressive illness, organic psychiatric disorders), significant medical illness (e.g. liver or cardiovascular disease) or pregnant female subjects are excluded from study participation.